Electronic Circuits and Devices

General overview

This educational program deals with the modeling, design and experimental implementation of electronic devices and their integration into circuits and systems. The teaching activities are not limited to conventional silicon based technologies, but cover a wide range of novel technologies. The objective of the program is to prepare students to master the core strengths of the circuits and systems area which are : (i) the ability to model complex physical phenomena and devices that are used for various fundamental functions (such as storage, signal amplification, switching), (ii) the ability to abstract the time-domain and frequency domain operation of complex systems and networks using a consistent mathematical framework, and (iii) the ability to create a strong link between theory and experimental results.
The program is focused on analog and RF design, digital electronics and digital system engineering. It has also strong links to computer science, as any complex digital system requires programming. Students are trained to be able to address key issues as the design of application- specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and low-power, low-energy electronics, which is still a key research issue, because of the increasingly widespread use of mobile devices (e.g., cell phones) and their increased capabilities (and thus energy requirements).

Specializations in Electronics

The program in Electronics is organized in order to provide three specialization areas listed below :